The chief executive of the New South Wales RSPCA, Steve Coleman, has told Landline the laws could create the impression that "the industry has something to hide".

"Our belief is that's not the case, but I think there's a lot more discussion that needs to occur."

Every industry including those that maintain and manage extensive animal operations should be transparent.

NSW RSPCA CEO Steve Coleman

Industry groups such as Australian Pork Limited are pushing for the tougher laws, arguing that many producers have been traumatised by farm raids and secret filming.

Federal Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce has recently said he would do everything in his power to advance moves by the states to ensure illegal trespass activity was outlawed.

But Mr Coleman says such moves could have unintended consequences.

"The divide between city dwellers and those that live the country ... is getting wider and wider," he said.

"One of the challenges around that is that we believe... every industry including those that maintain and manage extensive animal operations should be transparent."

While rejecting tougher legal sanctions, the RSPCA is nevertheless critical of animal rights groups giving footage of alleged welfare breaches to the media before reporting the incidents to authorities.

"Our concern is always that by the time we receive these sorts of pieces of information... there's some time between when this activity occurred and when its actually reported, " Mr Coleman said.

"Our experience is that it (non-reporting of welfare breaches) is increasing perhaps in the last couple of years - some of it can be put down to new technology.

"Any person that is concerned about the treatment of any animal should bring that before one of the regulators including the RSPCA."

The association admits that covert filming has led to successful prosecutions. However, it also dismisses claims made by animal rights groups of common and systemic welfare breaches in animal intensive industries.

"Our view is that by and large these sorts of incidents are in the minority," Mr Coleman said.

"Of all the investigation that we undertake about 1 per cent end up before the courts.

"Farmers have a right to undertake legal business operations - that's only right."